Recruiting Future with Matt Alder - What's Next For Talent Acquisition, HR & Hiring?

At the beginning of May, I attended UNLEASH America as a podcaster and panel host. It was UNLEASH's biggest event to date in the US, and the content and conversations were excellent. As you can imagine, the implications of Generative AI dominated the discussion. From talking to a range of practitioners, vendors, and thought leaders, it was clear that everyone agrees that Talent Acquisition will be changed quickly and forever by new technology. However, it is not just technology that is driving change; aside from the obvious economic issues, many employers are rethinking their whole approach to talent, and this was reflected in several conversations I had about the blurring lines between talent acquisition and talent management. Next week I'll be publishing some long-form interviews I recorded at the event, but in the meantime, here is a series of short conversations that capture the essence of the discussion at the show. Appearing in this episode: John Vlastelica, the CEO of Recruiting Toolbox Sarah White, the Founder of Aspect 43 Mervyn Dinnen, HR Analyst and my co-author on "Digital Talent." Crissy McConnell, Internal Recruiting Lead at Guild. Topics discussed include: Thinking holistically about talent Breaking down the silos between Talent Acquisition and Talent Management The impact of Generative AI The market for recruiting technology Legislation and legal confusion around AI Psychological Safety and ERGs The future of jobs and the end of everything Candidate and consumer attitudes to AI Regenerating talent to open opportunity Surfacing internal talent Total experience The future of talent acquisition Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests. Episodes mentioned in this Round Up: Ep 510: Candidate Experience 2023 Ep 511: How To Be A Global Employer Of Choice Ep 512: Being More Agile Ep 513: Building Connection In A Hybrid World Ep 514: Build, Maintain & Leverage Your Network Ep 515: AI And The Future Of Talent Acquisition Ep 516: The Changing Workforce Ep 517: Aligning Benefits To Values Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

For many companies, remote and hybrid working has spotlighted compensation and benefits strategies. How do you determine pay levels for the same job across different national and international geographies, and how can you use benefits as a talent magnet when some traditional location-based benefits are no longer as relevant? My guest this week is Anitra St. Hilaire, VP of People at Threeflow. Anitra has considerable experience in this area and shares some very innovative thinking in our conversation. In the interview, we discuss: What are the most significant talent challenges employers are facing Listening to and understanding people's stories Building culture nationally and internationally How do you handle compensation strategically across state and country boundaries? How can employers use benefits as magnets for talent? Aligning benefits with company values Understanding the needs of your employee population Responsible transparency What are the implications of AI for HR? What will the future of work look like? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The balance of the workforce is changing. Remote working, talent scarcity and evolving attitudes to jobs and careers are driving the increasing use of contractors, freelancers and fractional workers. However, the practicalities of managing this changing workforce are significant, including everything from building a culture to ensuring everyone gets paid on time. So how should employers approach this, what role can technology play, and how can they turn the challenges into opportunities? My guest this week is Richard Prime, Co-Founder and CEO of Sonovate. Richard has some fascinating insights to share on the state of the market and how fintech innovations are creating opportunities for employers and staffing agencies in our new world of work. In the interview, we discuss: The current state of the market The rise of contractors, freelancers, and fractional workers Accessing global talent pools The challenges of an evolving workforce What are the most innovative businesses doing? Building a culture that is inclusive of temporary and contract workers How complicated is it to make sure everyone gets paid The growing demand for early wage access Innovative financial benefits to attract talent What opportunities does Fintech innovation open up for recruiting and talent acquisition? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The public launch of ChatGPT continues to drive enormous levels of hype about the impact of AI on life, the universe and everything. So what are the implications of generative AI on talent acquisition, how will it shape the development of recruiting technology, and what will candidates think of the changing balance between humans and machines in recruiting? My guest this week is the perfect person to give us some answers. Adam Godson is Chief Product Officer at Paradox, and his unique combination of experience in the industry means he has a deep understanding of the potential of AI and the likely future direction of talent acquisition. In the interview, we discuss: The current state of the market The difference between Generative AI and Conversational AI What changes will generative AI drive in recruiting technology? Why is there a rush of Large Language Models coming to the market at the same time? Decisions, Communication, and Automation Enriching interactive conversations Time reduction What is the art of the possible with personalization? The implications of "quick apply" on employer brand communication Polarising messages Calibration by the candidate reaction to AI What will the next two years look like, and where is technology heading next Listen to this episode in Apple Podcasts.

Talent Acquisition is changing, work is changing, and careers are changing. It has perhaps never been more critical to build and cultivate a professional network. As an industry that spends most of its collective working day on LinkedIn, we like to think that we do this well. But do we really understand how to build, maintain and leverage our networks in these disruptive times? My guest this week is Michael Melcher, an executive coach, leadership expert, and author of a new book called "Your Invisible Network". In our conversation, we discuss how networks are changing and the networking skills needed to transform careers. In the interview, we discuss: Being more aware of the network around you Building deeper, more powerful relationships How a whole generation has had no meaningful face-to-face connections at work The power of small, consistent action Seven types of relationships Minute 32 and the unpredictable nature of conversations Being more human The difference between a specific and a general ask How will networking develop in the future, and what skills will we need to learn Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

One of the biggest challenges of remote and hybrid working is the lack of face-to-face connection that humans need to be fully engaged and productive. This is always one of the main arguments for employers attempting to return their workers to the office. However, the advantages of remote and hybrid working are considerable, and forcing people to work five days a week back in an office isn't necessarily the best way of dealing with the challenges. So what can employers do to foster a sense of connection, belonging, and engagement and provide the scaffolding for high-performing teams? My guest this week is Sophie Bailey, Co-Founder and CEO of Worktripp. Worktripp is an Airbnb for business offsites, and Sophie has some hugely valuable insights to share on supercharging connection, creativity, and culture. In the interview, we discuss: The importance of face-to-face connection The consequences and cost of disengagement Why returning to the office isn't the answer Bringing people together in a memorable way Offsites to increase retention and drive creative ideation Which companies do this well, and how do they do it The importance of environment Designing an effective offsite and why you shouldn't start with logistics Long term planning to develop connection What does the future of work look like? Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

As we move through 2023, the pace of disruption continues to intensify. The complexities and implications of the economic and technological landscapes are overwhelming. It is increasingly difficult to break out of short-term thinking and make the long-term strategic decisions that are now needed. Over the last few years, the word agile has been somewhat overused, but does it hold the key to unlocking the future potential of talent acquisition? My guest this week is Joshua Kerievsky, Founder and CEO of Industrial Logic and author of a new book called "The Joy of Agile". In our conversation, Joshua revisits the original definition of agile and shares six mantras to help all TA leaders during these challenging times. In the interview, we discuss: The dictionary definition of agile Working with quick, easy grace Examples of agile at work How to be more agile Being adaptable and resourceful Be quick but don't hurry. The importance of balance and driving out fear Start minimal and evolve. Adaptability The new future of work Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

It's now three years since the pandemic changed many people's work trajectories. While some companies have returned to the office and others are desperately trying to, remote and hybrid work continue to be the norm for many organizations. So putting aside noisy narratives and vested interests trying to take us back to the pre-pandemic status quote, what are the actual benefits and challenges of a distributed workforce? Also, with the opening of global talent pools, what can employers do to position themselves as an employer of choice in 2023? My guest this week is Sarah Fern, Chief People Officer a Velocity Global. Velocity Global has employers working remotely across six timezones and 27 countries, and Sarah has some valuable insights to share on the benefits and challenges of being a distributed employer. In the interview, we discuss: The benefits remote work offer to employers Opening up access to the best global talent Why presentism doesn't drive high-performing work The genuine challenges of a distributed workforce Loneliness, disconnection, productivity, and burnout Turning challenges into opportunities How to stand out as a global employer of choice Crafting meaningful benefit packages for remote workers Rethinking recruitment marketing Building culture remotely What is the new future of work? Listen to this episode in Apple Podcasts

Over the last decade or so, we've finally realized that the candidate experience isn't a one-off project; it is an ever evolving theme that runs through talent acquisition. Strategy, measurement, and continuous improvement are crucial. So what is the current state of the candidate experience worldwide, and what are the post-pandemic trends? I'm delighted to welcome Kevin Grossman back to the podcast as my guest this week. Kevin is the President of The Talent Board, the organizers of the Candidate Experience Awards, and ongoing global benchmark research into the candidate experience. He has a massive amount of data-based insight to share on how the candidate experience continues to evolve. In the interview, we discuss: The current trends in candidate experience Rising resentment Communication and feedback What is best practice? Examples of employers offering a great candidate experience Why more employers are giving feedback to finalists A fair interview process Internal mobility and retention The importance of pre-boarding Sustaining a quality experience over time Will AI improve the candidate experience in the future? Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests. Episodes mentioned in this Round Up: Ep 502: Digital Talent One Year On Ep 503: Climate Jobs Ep 504: The Future Of Video Interviewing Ep 505: Accelerating Change Ep 506: Changing Expectations Of Work Ep 507: Skills Based Hiring In Early Careers Ep 508: Scaling Up With Video Interviewing Ep 509: Making Employer Branding Indispensable Register for "The Road Ahead: Navigating the Future of Talent Acquisition" webinar Get your discounted ticket to UNLEASH America Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

Employer branding is under pressure in many organizations at the moment, and layoffs and budget cuts are hitting the function hard. However, anyone with even the most basic understanding of employer and talent branding can see how short-sighted this is and how vital building an employer brand is for a company's long-term future. So how can we highlight the importance of employer branding and make employers see it as an essential function? My guest this week is Alex Her, Head of Employer Branding at GoDaddy and a global advocate for its importance. Alex has some excellent advice on illustrating impact and ROI and some interesting insights into the future. In the interview, we discuss: Current challenges and why employer branding is even more important now The offboarding experience Demonstrating strategic value and ROI What are the most powerful metrics? Storytelling Chat GPT, AI, and technology Doing the work What does the future of employer branding look like If you want to hear more from Alex, he is speaking at RecFest USA, which is taking place on the 13th & 14th of September in Nashville. Take it from me as someone who has been to RecFest many times; it is a unique and hugely valuable experience. You can find out more here and as a Recruiting Future listener, you can get 50% off the ticket price by using the promo code Recruitingfuture23 Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Earlier in the month, in Episode 504, we looked at the evolution of asynchronous video interviewing and the change in candidate attitudes towards it since the pandemic. In this episode, I wanted to dive deeper and find out how it is working in practice. What are the benefits and drawbacks, and how do talent acquisition teams wish to see it develop? My guests this week are both from Hello Fresh. Maximiliano Trujillo Diaz is a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, and Mubeen Shariff is Senior Manager Workforce Staffing. Hello Fresh has been successfully using video interviews for specialist and high-volume roles, and my guests have vast knowledge and experience to share. In the interview, we discuss: Scaling up and talent scarcity The challenges of high-volume recruiting Increasing placements and reducing time to hire Improving the candidate experience Simplicity and speed Limitations and drawbacks Does video work for all levels of candidates? How should video interviewing develop in the future? Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

We live in rapidly changing times, and it is increasingly difficult for employers to anticipate how the roles in their business will develop. An ageing workforce is a further complicated factor. The growing consensus is that a skills-based approach to early careers recruiting could give employers the flexibility they need to plan for an uncertain future. But how does skills-based hiring work in early careers, and how should employers develop their strategies in this area? My guest this week is Matt Kirk, Solution Owner - Talent Acquisition at SHL. Matt has a big focus on early careers and has some incredibly valuable insights to share based on SHL's pioneering work on skills, competencies, and behaviors. In the interview, we discuss: The current state of college recruiting globally The impact of the cost of living crisis Are graduates the answer to the problem of ageing workforces? The growing interest in soft skills Using a single talent language 11 skills that predict success in graduate hiring Building data to facilitate internal mobility and skills development How skills differ between countries and industries Offering an appropriate candidate experience Communication and feedback What does the future of early careers look like? Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

As we move through the third anniversary of the first lockdowns, it is a good time to reflect on how the pandemic has changed our attitudes and expectations towards work. Employers now have to think very differently about culture, employee experience, and recruiting. The new generation joining the workforce is also driving some very different thinking around career progression. My guest this week is Abby Hamilton, Chief People Officer at LiveIntent. Abby has valuable insights about the importance of creating a human-centric approach to work where employees feel seen, heard, and recognized. In the interview, we discuss: Current talent market challenges How tech layoffs are creating opportunities The legacy of the pandemic Culture, Employee Experience, and Recruiting Wellbeing Changing career expectations from changing generations Video gaming and careers progression The role of technology Asynchronous communication The future of employee experience Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

I always knew that the pace of change would accelerate this year, but it's only March, and we've seen thousands of tech layoffs, bank failures, and the launch of ChatGPT and now ChatGPT 4. Meanwhile, businesses worldwide are still struggling to get the talent they need. The implications for Talent Acquisition of this pace of change and technological development are profound, and at the moment, it doesn't even feel that there is time to take a step back and understand them. So what does this all mean, and how should TA leaders adapt and plan for such a dynamic future? What better time to invite my favourite futurist back to show to attempt to get some answers. Kevin Wheeler is the founder of The Future Of Talent Institute and one of the great deep thinkers in our industry. In our conversation, Kevin looks back into the past to give us clues about the future and offers invaluable advice on what we should focus on. In the interview, we discuss: Kevin's take on the current market Talent hoarding and over-hiring The 1920s versus the 2020s Staying skilled and aware How will AI impact TA in the short and medium term? Augmentation, automation, and replacement A structural shift in how organizations see talent Internal upskilling and reskilling Thinking broadly, holistically, and globally What should TA be focusing on The demographic and education time bomb What skills do the TA Leaders of the future need? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

In 2013, I wrote a report on the future of asynchronous video interviewing; while a few employers were experimenting with it, there was widespread skepticism about its usefulness and longevity. Fast forward ten years, and we are literally living in a different world. Post-pandemic video now sits at the centre of the working day for many of us, and asynchronous video interviewing is most certainly here to stay. So how are candidate attitudes towards video evolving, what problems is video interviewing solving for employers, and how will things develop in the future? My guests this week are the perfect people to answer these questions and give us a deep dive into the market. Phil Strazzulla is the Founder of Select Software Reviews, and Euan Cameron is the CEO at Willo. Keep listening for a mix of practical advice and informed insights about the future of video interviewing. In the interview, we discuss: How video interview has developed since the pandemic Evolving attitudes to video Is a video interview now an expectation for candidates? Removing interview friction Point solution or platform? The case for asynchronous DE&I Improving hiring outcomes Will the resume ever die? How does AI fit into the future of video interviewing? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The climate emergency is the greatest challenge humans have ever faced, and it affects all of us. In August of last year, as part of The Inflation Reduction Act, the US federal government pledged $365 Billion to fight climate change. Since then, over 100,000 climate jobs have already been created in the US economy. Despite the seriousness of the situation and the obvious relevance to our sector, climate jobs and the climate emergency don't seem to be things we are discussing. This needs to change. My guest this week is Natalie Lavery, Marketing Lead at Climate People, a Climate Tech recruiting firm. Climate People are fighting to make every job a climate job. It was brilliant to get Natalie's insight into a critically important market that is full of opportunity. In the interview, we discuss: The reimagining of the global economy What is Climate Tech, and what are Climate Jobs? Is Climate Tech the future of all jobs Barriers to jobseekers taking climate jobs and how to break them down Awareness, mindset, and incentives The importance of diverse talent and diverse voices What can we all do to make our jobs climate jobs? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

Digital Talent, the second book co-authored by Mervyn Dinnen and myself, came out a year ago this month. We've been blown away by the response to the book and want to thank everyone who has bought, read and shared it. Twelve months is a long time in our industry at the moment, so I sat down with Mervyn to discuss the book's key themes and how things have developed over the last year. We recorded the conversation in a proper studio, so there is also a video version of this podcast (link in the show notes), which is worth watching just to take in the full glory of Mervyn's shirt. Enjoy the conversation In our conversation, we discuss: The acceleration of Digital Transformation The ongoing disruption of Talent Acquisition Redefining talent Results versus noise in DE&I Taking a more strategic approach to hiring Talent Experience Talent Mobility Skills AI & Personalization The new future of work Another book? The video version of this episode Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests. Episodes mentioned in this Round Up: Ep 493: The Growing Value Of TA Operations Ep 494: Confidence and Resilience Ep 495: Results Not Noise Ep 496: Challenging A Narrow Definition Of Talent Ep 497: Rethinking Recruiting To Break Down Silos Ep 498: The Early Careers Labour Market Ep 499: Strategic Talent Acquisition Ep 500: Ask Me Anything Subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcast

The rise of remote working and the widespread adoption of technology has made it much easier for all sizes of employers to tap into global pools of talent. The urban population of the African continent is projected to reach 1.1 billion people by 2040, making it the largest global workforce. With an ever more diverse base of skills across 54 countries, it's not surprising that outsourcing to Africa is on the rise. So what can employers do to tap into this enormous talent pool? My guest this week is Valerie Bowden, founder, and CEO of CRDLE. Valerie spent years traveling and working in Africa and now helps US and European businesses connect to talent in the world's second-largest continent. In the interview, we discuss: Tapping into global talent pools Why Africa? Language and timezones Types of skills Interns The social impact of outsourcing Are you already using African talent? Advice for effective outsourcing The importance of onboarding and training The future of remote teams Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts. A full transcript will appear shortly.

In October 2008, I started writing a blog called Recruiting Future, and over the next seven years, I regularly documented the changes that were happening in talent acquisition. As part of my blog, I started publishing interviews with industry practitioners, sometimes as videos but often as audio files embedded in my blog posts. I called these "Recruiting Future Expert Interviews". I soon realised that I had found something I absolutely loved doing and looked for ways of going all in and making this a bigger part of my work. The growth of podcasting gave me the opportunity I was looking for. On the 10th of January 2015, I published Episode One of The Recruiting Future Podcast. It was far more challenging to make than I expected, and the sound quality left a lot to be desired, but I didn't care. I was all in and would focus on building a resource to help talent acquisition make sense of the radical transformations ahead. Eight years and 499 episodes later, here we are. I'm still blown away by everything the podcast has achieved. None of it would be possible without the fantastic people I get to interview, the brilliant, supportive sponsors, and all of you who listen and spread the word about the show. For the 500th episode, I thought I would do an Ask Me Anything episode as something a bit different. Thanks to everyone who submitted a question, and I'm sorry that I couldn't include them all; what follows is a representative sample of the kind of topics people were asking about This episode features questions from: Jessica Adams Matthias Schmeißer Mervyn Dinnen Sara Dalsfelt Victoria Williams Viktor Nord John Wallace Topics covered include: Strategic Talent Acquisition, Conversational AI, Future Skills in Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Marketing, Assessment, and Podcasting. Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

TA Leaders are under tremendous pressure as we move through 2023. Many are dealing with acute talent shortages, others have to downsize their team, and everyone is attempting to make sense of the implications of rapidly advancing AI technology. Whilst the immediate pressure can drive a focus on short term thinking, there is a massive opportunity for the TA Leaders who take a longer term view to reposition Talent Acquisition within their organization strategically. So what is the opportunity here, which other business functions can we model from, and what practical steps do TA Leaders need to take? My guest this week is Graeme Paxton, Founder and CEO of Caraffi. Carraffi is on a mission to make talent the engine room of everyone's organization, and Graeme has a vast amount of experience in helping TA Leaders think strategically. In the interview, we discuss: The current state of the market The strategic opportunity in challenging times Changing where TA sits in the organization Breaking the cycle When hiring volume decreases, the importance of hiring increases Shortage in critical skillsets What TA can learn from the strategic evolution of Marketing The three questions that keep CEOs up at night Aligning metrics with the business balance sheet How to measure the business impact of TA From transactional service to business driver Understanding the vision of your business to identify future critical skillsets How far in the future should TA Leaders be planning? Can TA Leaders be the CEOs of the future? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The early careers labour market is evolving. The pandemic severely impacted internships, hybrid working is changing graduate recruitment, and many employers are reviewing their entry requirements to cast a broader net for talent. My guest this week is Dr Charlie Ball, Head of Labour Market Intelligence at Jisc. Charlie is one of the UK's leading experts on Graduate employment with deep insights to share on current market trends that are applicable globally. A must-listen for anyone involved with interns, graduates and college recruiting. In the interview, we discuss: How the early careers labour market has evolved in the last three years The long term consequences of the pandemic's impact on internships and work experience Hybrid working and accredited apprenticeships The changing link between person, place and employment Why this recession is different for the labour market Why are employers dropping or lowering entry requirements? What does the future look like? Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

The current evolution of TA is not just an outward facing exercise. New thinking around internal mobility, skills, culture and experience means that the lines between Talent Acquisition, Talent Management and Learning & Development are starting to blur. So what can we learn from the employers proactively working to break down these silos? My guest this week is Debby Clement, VP of Talent at Pax8. Pax8 have a massive focus on a quality experience for both candidates and employees and has reinvented its TA strategy to reflect this. Debby has a lot of insight to share on the importance of removing internal silos and having a holistic approach to talent. In the interview, we discuss: The talent challenges of a fast growing organization The Big Tech layoffs in context and why it is still tough to recruit the right people Building a new recruiting model Heart and whole person values TA as the umbilical cord going through the whole business Job descriptions tell, and job adverts sell. Knitting together Talent Acquisition, Talent Management and L&D The Wardley Mapping concept The unintended consequences of silos in HR People Analytics The role of technology and AI What does the TA team of the future look like Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

I always find it encouraging to see many employers focusing on social mobility to diversify their workforces. However, much more needs doing, and some seismic shifts are required to broaden the narrow definition of talent many industries use to recruit. My guest this week is Phoebe Anderson, Executive Director at ATLAS Fellows. ATLAS is a not-for-profit organization with the goal of transforming the finance industry by opening doors for under-resourced young people to access life-changing careers. Phoebe advocates for changing entrenched recruiting practices and challenging the narrow definition of talent endemic in the finance industry. In the interview, we discuss: Why a zip code shouldn't dictate a life trajectory Breaking down barriers The importance of engaging with High School students Scholarship, internship, mentorship, and membership What employers need to do to be more inclusive Changing the narrow definition of talent Skills and knowledge are teachable. ATLAS' advice to employers and their plans for the future. Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Building more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplaces is an ongoing challenge for many organizations. There is still a disconnect between the amount of noise generated around DE&I and the results achieved. So how can employers do better, and what lessons can be learned from other organizations? My guest this week is Bruce Jackson, Associate General Counsel & Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships at Microsoft. Bruce has just published a new book, "Never Far From Home", which documents his personal journey from a housing project in Manhattan to becoming a lawyer who represented Pete Rock and LL Cool J and ultimately worked for the President of Microsoft. In our conversation, he shares his insights into the developing DE&I strategies at Microsoft, and the role employers can play in improving social mobility. In the interview, we discuss: Bruce's journey and dealing with obstacles The overwhelming influence the environment you grew up in has on your prospects. What should employers do to improve diversity and inclusion? Practical incentives to help law firms be more diverse Improving evaluation and accountability The role employers can play in improving social mobility Cybersecurity programs in community colleges The critical importance of not losing another generation of great brave minds. Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Whatever part of the industry you are in, you will be facing uncertain times as we start to move through 2023. On top of the obvious economic factors, Talent Acquisition is heading into a period of dramatic reinvention right in the middle of a trend of TA layoffs, a conundrum at a time of continuing talent shortages and candidate-driven markets. Whether you are looking for a new role, reinventing your existing role, or getting promoted, confidence is critical. It's also something that we don't talk about enough, particularly when it comes to building more of it and dealing with imposter syndrome. My guest this week is Jess Jones, an influencer, content creator, and DE&I talent lead. Jess recently wrote a book about building confidence called "Own It". Her experience in TA gives her a unique perspective on how we talk (or rather don't talk) about confidence and resilience in our industry, and she has some great advice to share. In the interview, we discuss: Confidence in the workplace Tackling imposter syndrome "Owning it" Empowering people to be more confident The snakes and ladders of work in 2023 The five-second rule Does social media make things more complicated? The myth of perfection and the importance of being vulnerable Curiosity Showing up and leading by example AI & TA Internal mobility Using creators and influences to target specific pools of talent Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Talent Acquisition is continuing to grow in complexity. Technology is becoming more disruptive, recruiting methodologies are getting more sophisticated, and data and analytics are becoming more important. It's not surprising then that the skillset of TA teams is diversifying, and the role of TA Operations is becoming more developed. So how can TA leaders demonstrate the value of TA Ops, and how can it inform hiring strategies My guest this week is Mark Jenkins, Talent Acquisition Operations Manager at Product Madness. Mark's role involves improving recruiting and hiring efficiency through process improvements, streamlined funnels, and digital transformation. He has lots of insights and advice to share about the growing value of TA Ops. In the interview, we discuss: The bottom line impact of TA Ops Improving retention and diversity Unlocking the full potential of recruiting technology Automation and the importance of process reinvention How to drive value via continuous improvement Calculating the ROI of TA Ops Storytelling with data The role TA Ops can play in shaping hiring strategies The future of TA Ops Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests. Episodes mentioned in this Round Up: Ep 489: The Personalization Megatrend Ep 490: Responsible Recruiting Strategies Ep 491: Can TA Drive Internal Mobility? Ep 492: AI & Automation Strategies Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

With the relentless coverage, comment and discussion around ChatGPT, it finally feels that there is a mainstream realization of the capability and impact of AI and automation. However, while Twitter threads, conference presentations and webinars are great for building awareness, there is no discussion on the complexities of implementing AI and the strategic foundations needed to ensure success. My guest this week is Kyle Lagunas, Head of Strategy & Principal Analyst at Aptitude Research. Kyle has recently authored a whitepaper exploring automation's current state and future potential in talent acquisition. TA Leaders need to think very carefully about strategy and implementation, and Kyle shares some valuable insights into the automated future. In the interview, we discuss: The outlook for talent acquisition in 2023 Automation as a catalyst to unlock high-functioning TA Creating richer, high-quality stakeholder experiences. The importance of understanding system capability Continuing optimization and strategic development Building new best practices and AI and automation What do the humans do, and what do the machines do? Augementation and anticipation The evolving maturity model and the current rate of adoption What skills will the TA team of the future need? Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts

We're still only at the start of 2023, but it's already clear that it will be another challenging and complex year for talent acquisition. With so much disruption, TA Leaders must be able to prove their value to their businesses. One area we are seeing this happen is internal mobility, where the line between talent acquisition and talent management is getting a bit blurry as employers look at talent more holistically. My guest this week is Manjuri Sinha, Global Director of Talent Acquisition at OLX. Manjuri recently helped launch a highly successful internal talent marketplace called OLX Explore. In our conversation, she shared some of the strategies used to deal with the significant challenges around internal mobility and has some advice to share with TA Leaders who want to prove the value of their teams. In the interview, we discuss: Recruiting challenges Tech layoffs and global talent pools How Talent Acquisition leaders can demonstrate the value of their teams Building internal talent marketplaces The challenges of internal mobility Building a business case from data The importance of C-Suite sponsorship Awareness, access and enablement Results and ROI The role of technology What does the TA team of the future look like Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The only things certain about talent acquisition in 2023 are uncertainly and more disruption. As companies deal with these complex times, what can TA leaders do to ensure their teams give their businesses maximum value? My first guest of 2023 is Jane Curran, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at JLL. Jane leads a large TA team firmly focused on driving value by advocating for responsible recruiting throughout the business. In the interview, we discuss: The continuing challenge of standing out and finding top talent The market in 2023 The need for responsible recruiting Building a strong relationship between TA and Finance Working with HR Business Partners and Hiring Managers How should TA prioritize recruiting Improving internal talent mobility Building flexibility in the model to ensure you have the right sized TA team The role of technology in 2023 Zero waste in the ecosystem of talent How can TA do less with more in changing times Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests. Episodes mentioned in this Round Up: Ep 479: Neurodiversity Hiring At Microsoft Ep 480: Are Job Boards Evolving? Ep 481: Workstyle Ep 482: The Fluid Workforce Ep 483: The Power Of Talent Marketplaces Ep 484: Innovation and Skills-Based Hiring Ep 486: Building A Second Brain Ep 487: Focus Ep 488: The DE&I Journey Ep 489: The Personalization Megatrend Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

Anyone who has listened to the show, read any of my writing, or seen me present this year will know that I firmly believe that technology-driven personalization is a forthcoming megatrend in talent acquisition. Earlier in the year, it was a pleasure to speak about personalization at the Association of Talent Acquisition Professionals Global TA Day conference. ATAP recorded the session, and I wanted to share it with you to wrap up Recruiting Future for 2022. So please listen on and learn more about how you can achieve Automated Human Centric Recruiting in 2023. This is what I cover in the presentation: Why personalization is a TA megatrend The current poor state of personalization in recruiting Why, how and when The shift to automation RPA and data Automation + Quality Experience = Personalization Why should TA professionals care? Turning data into personalized experiences Adjusting content to context What is currently being personalized in TA? The split between robots and humans Relationship building and empathetic communication at scale Leveraging behavioural science A framework for storytelling Using personalization for competitive talent advantage Podcast episodes mentioned in the presentation: Ep 375: The Magic of Behavioural Science Ep 438: The Power of Storytelling Ep 434: Personalization Case Studies (Part One) Ep 454: Personalization Case Studies (Part Two) Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

One of the key lessons from 2022 is that implementing effective strategies for DE&I is always a long-term journey rather than a quick fix. Sharing insights to learn from the experiences of others is a critical part of the process; progress cannot happen in a vacuum. My guest this week is Eric Thomas, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Genesys. Genesys is on a journey to become a more diverse company, and a vital part of this is increased workforce representation to align with the markets they serve. Eric has some valuable insights to share on the lessons they are learning, particularly around talent acquisition and employee experience. In the interview, we discuss: Eric's journey to becoming a Chief Diversity Officer The lessons Genesys has learned during its ongoing evolution to being a more diverse company. Empathy and helping employees understand the why Inclusion and belonging The innovation required for effective DE&I work Determining priorities and experimentation Reimagining talent acquisition Redesigning the interview process Employee experience as a differentiator Advice to other employers on a similar journey Setting industry benchmarks and building an ecosystem. Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

As an end-of-year special, this week is productivity week on the podcast. With so much going on and so many competing pressures, I know that everyone listening will, at least at some point in 2022, have had challenges with focus and information overload. Talent Acquisition is evolving quickly, and managing attention and processing information are vital skills that aren't highlighted as much as they should be. A couple of days ago, in Episode 486, we looked at managing information overload when I spoke to Tiago Forte, the inventor of the Building a Second Brain system of personal knowledge management. In this episode, I want to focus on focus, and my guest is author and speaker Erik Qualman. In 2009 Erik wrote a hugely influential book predicting the rise of social media called Socianomics, and since then has written extensively on digital leadership. His most recent book is The Focus Project which highlights the problems humans have focusing in our hyper-connected world and explores some of the potential solutions that can help us. In the interview, we discuss: The Focus Project Focusing on the big, not the busy Focus is hard in an unfocused world. The importance of systems and process Progress not perfection Saying no a lot Having more time is not the solution. Attacking the one big thing before the day attacks you The power of sleep Spotting patterns, time fencing and the 20/20/20 rule How can employers support focus? What does the future of work now look like Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

As an end-of-year special, this week is productivity week on the podcast. With so much going on and so many competing pressures, I know that everyone listening will, at least at some point in 2022, have had challenges with focus and information overload. Talent Acquisition is evolving quickly, and managing attention and processing information are vital skills that aren't highlighted as much as they should be. My first guest on productivity week is one of the world's leading personal knowledge management systems experts. Tiago Forte is the Founder of Forte Labs and the creator of the brilliant Building a Second Brain. BASB is a very effective knowledge and information management system I can personally vouch for as I used it to write my book "Digital Talent." Tiago has created a popular online course and a book on Building a Second Brain, and in our discussion, he gives us an excellent insight into the system. In the interview, we discuss: The story behind BASB Are employers giving knowledge workers effect support around information overload? Personal Knowledge Management Shifting from top down to individual The key elements of BASB Capture, Organize, Distill, Express The role of technology How I reactivated ten years of lost Kindle highlights Taking the first steps Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

The death of the resume has long been predicted. It is widely acknowledged that they are ineffective and prone to promoting bias, but alternative approaches have yet to achieve universal adoption. However, with many employers moving towards skills and competency-based hiring and technology continuing to drive rapid change in recruiting, are the days of the resume finally numbered? My guest this week is Maya Huber, Co-Founder and CEO of the competencies-based sourcing platform TaTiO. Maya has a PHD in Job Analysis and some fascinating insights into practical ways of moving on from the resume and making hiring more efficient, inclusive and effective. In the interview, we discuss: The ineffectiveness of resumes The danger of assessing just on words and stories Skills-based hiring versus competency-based hiring Testing performance in its context Reducing the administrative burden for recruiters Job simulation Job analysis The hiring outcomes of competency-based assessment What should companies expect from the future of work? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The pace of business change is continuing to accelerate. According to a recent McKinsey Global Survey, business leaders expect that by 2026, half of their companies' revenues will come from products, services, or businesses that haven't been invented yet. Innovation is critical for companies to survive and thrive. So how can employers ensure they have talent strategies in place to have the right skills to create and drive new ideas forward, and could innovation be the catalyst that accelerates skills-based hiring? My guest this week is Mauro Porcini, PepsiCo's first ever Chief Design Officer and author of a new book on people-centric innovation. In the book, Mauro does a deep dive into the skills, culture, and philosophy companies need to innovate. It was brilliant to hear his views on what employers need to do to attract, retain and develop people with the diverse skills required for effective innovation. In the interview, we discuss: The role of Chief Design Officer at Pepsico How business cultures have changed Designing the future with human-centric design The 24 skills needed for innovation and the importance of identifying and developing them in leaders Building a culture of innovation Process versus people The power of kindness, optimism, and curiosity The relationship between kindness and productivity Recognizing and recruiting innovators Redesigning the recruiting process What does the future look like? Mauro's book - The Human Side of Innovation: The Power of People in Love with People Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

One thing that has remained constant in our changing talent markets is the importance of targeting the right audience with the right message at the right time. In the noisy world of recruiting marketing, talent marketplaces are proving to be effective platforms for bringing employers and like-minded potential employees together. My guest this week is John Beard, Head of Corporate & Technical Talent Acquisition at One Medical. One Medical is competing for talent in some challenging markets. John has a lot of insights to share on finding, connecting, and persuading the right talent to join the organization in rapidly changing times. In the interview, we discuss: How recruiting challenges are evolving with the market. Recruiting missionaries, not mercenaries Candidate experience as a north star Offering feedback to all Cutting through the noise to connect with the right people Doing something important versus doing something with impact. Compelling storytelling The role of talent marketplaces and the advantages they offer employers How will the tech talent market evolve over the next two years? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

The debate around the office versus remote versus hybrid looks set to run and run as employers continue to experiment with different strategies. Despite the enormous advantages of remote working, there are many challenges and gaps with some current approaches that need addressing as we move forward. So what are the key issues, how do employers address them, and what role should HR technology play? My guest this week is Saad Siddiqui, General Partner at Telstra Ventures, a VC firm with several HR technology investments. Saad has written extensively about the future of work and the advantages of a fluid workforce strategy. In the interview, we discuss: The current state of the hiring market and the longer term outlook Identifying gaps and challenges in new ways of working The fluid workforce Generational divides Building connections and mentoring Culture and the role of leadership Employee motivations and retention Finding the best talent on a global basis Key trends in HR Tech Consolidation and platform business extension How should employers think about technology? What does the future look like Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests. Episodes mentioned in this Round Up: Ep 471: Employer Brand Challenges Ep 472: Inclusive Assessment Ep 473: The Power Of Difference Ep 474: Talent In Tech Ep 475: Defining Talent Ep 476: Digital Talent At PepsiCo Ep 477: Innovation In Hourly Hiring Ep 478: Developing Talent Intelligence Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

The last three years have seen unprecedented disruption to the world of work. The rise of remote and hybrid working indicates a workplace revolution, but how much have things actually changed? Presentism is still a big issue, with some employers using economically tough times as an excuse to get people back to the office. Meanwhile, many hybrid and remote employees struggle with legacy working methods not designed for the world we are now living in My guests this week are Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst, co-founders of Hoxby and authors of the best selling book Workstyle. Lizzie and Alex are campaigners for a more modern autonomous working style. They are using their own experiences of running a remote first business to start a movement to make work better for everyone. In the interview, we discuss: What is wrong with work Ageing populations, independence and technology Breaking free from a 200 year old operating system Autonomy, productivity and accountability Digital first, not physical first. Trust over presentism The vital importance of asynchronous working How the Workstyle revolution works at Hoxby Inclusive for structurally excluded workers How to make a seismic change Meeting in person to build deeper connections. Remote leadership Old rules, new challenges The relationship between autonomy, well-being, and productivity Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.

Job Boards still play a central role in talent attraction, but outside of the job board industry, there isn't much discussion or debate about their current state and future potential. So are they still fit for purpose, how are they evolving, and what can job board statistics tell us about the current talent market? My guest this week is Dave Jenkins, founder of Wave. Wave publishes Wave TrackR, a regular independent report that uses job board data to track recruiting trends, which means Dave has a wealth of insights to share. In the interview, we discuss: The current state of the job board market Pricing models and programmatic adoption Geographic market differences The importance of the active audience Are there still more jobs than candidates? How to get the best out of job boards Mindset change What's the future of job boards? Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts. A full transcript will appear here shortly.

I published three interviews in October to mark National Disability Employment Awareness month. What particularly struck me was the amount of work going into neurodiversity hiring, and I want to dive deeper by finding out how specific employers are developing their programs. My guest this week is Neil Barnett, Director, Inclusive Hiring and Accessibility at Microsoft. Neil helped to develop Microsoft’s Neurodiversity Hiring Program, which has been in place since 2015. He has excellent insights and valuable advice for employers looking to establish similar programs. In the interview, we discuss: Are employers getting any better at disability inclusion? The story behind Microsoft's Neurodiversity Hiring Program Screening in rather than screening out Changing the hiring process to set people up for success Providing tangible feedback How the success of the program has changed aspects of Microsoft's other hiring programs Building an inclusive workplace Non-apparent disability and self-disclosure ERGs and growing internal communities Building the business case to get started How Microsoft collaborates with other employers Advice for parents on the future of neurodiversity in the workforce Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts A full transcript will appear here shortly

Talent Intelligence is on the rise, with an increasing number of TA teams putting data at the core of their strategy. However, do employers genuinely understand the full potential of TI, how do you get started, and what is the business case for building a specialist resource? My guest this week is Toby Culshaw, Talent Intelligence Leader at Worldwide Amazon Stores. Toby is one of the global pioneers of talent intelligence, having built teams and Philips and Amazon. He has also recently released his first book, "Talent Intelligence - Use Business and People Data to Drive Organizational Performance" Suffice to say, this is a must-listen interview for anyone who wants to know more about the development of talent intelligence. In the interview, we discuss: What is Talent Intelligence, and how is it developing The business outcomes and value of TI What areas of TA is data intelligence being applied to? Where should TI sit within the organization? Maturity model When TI isn't TI What skills does a TI function need to be successful? Building capability What will be possible in the future? Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Hourly hiring remains challenging for many employers, and despite the worsening economic outlook, it will likely remain a huge challenge for several years to come. So what innovations are we seeing in how employers approach hourly hiring and in the technology they are using? What does good look like now, and how will automation define the future? My guest this week is Sean Behr, CEO of Fountain. Over the last few years, Fountain has helped companies hire over 13 million hourly paid workers in more than 75 countries, meaning Sean has a lot of insight to share. In the interview, we discuss: The current talent marketing in hourly hiring The challenges of the last few years Fundamental changes in the workforce that will see hourly hiring continue to be challenging for years to come. What makes employers successful in this market The vital importance of speed in hiring Recruiting automation Using technology to provide a quality candidate, hiring manager, and recruiter experience at scale Really human hiring Personalization Quality versus quantity Why hourly hiring is the most innovative place to be in talent acquisition Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts

With high-profile layoffs in some large technology companies, it is perhaps easy to forget that digital transformation is still driving a massive need for tech talent in employers all over the world. Despite the current economic headwinds, long-term trends are in play that require specific operating and employer brand strategies, particularly in companies that are not traditionally seen as being digital. My guest this week is Blair Bennett, Senior Vice President Global Talent Acquisition at PepsiCo. Digital transformation is creating a significant need for tech talent in their business. In our conversation, Blair talks about the strategy they are putting in place to hire the people they need. In the interview, we discuss: The size and scale of talent acquisition at PepsiCo Market trends and challenges Digital transformation and bringing in new capabilities Repositioning talent acquisition strategy Personalizing candidate experience in competitive talent markets Automation in the TA operating model EVP and employer brand for specific talent cohorts Talent intelligence Geographical targeting and segmentation The role of technology The long term demand for digital talent The future of personalization in talent acquisition Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcast.

Skills based hiring continues to be a growing trend as employers rethink how they attract and assess talent. So how do you define what good looks like and identify the right hires for your organisation? My guest this week is Leadership Strategist and Talent Consultant Ginny Clarke, who formerly ran executive hiring programmes at Google. Ginny is a strong advocate of competency-based recruiting and has some invaluable advice to share. In the interview, we discuss: Spotting competencies and demonstrated behaviours Talent reviews and performance evaluations How do you define and identify talent? Looking more broader to increase diversity Psychological safety and equity The relationship between leadership and culture Competencies as skills plus knowledge plus ability Deconstructing job roles Looking past employment history and education What does the future of work look like, and how should employers be preparing Listen to this podcast in Apple Podcasts.